Minnesota Prairie Roots file photo 2013.
BLOCKS FROM MY FARIBAULT HOME, spring bursts in vibrant hues, a visual delight for winter weary eyes.
Minnesota Prairie Roots file photo 2013.
I need to stop at Donahue’s Greenhouse, which opened for the season just a day prior to our recent three-day historic blizzard. I missed the “Mimosa Morning & More” event there during the winter storm. Shucks. I wasn’t thinking of flowers or anything tropical on April 14.
Minnesota Prairie Roots file photo 2013.
But now I am. And it’s time to take a break from all the cold and snow and step into spring, or at least the illusion of spring.
Minnesota Prairie Roots file photo 2013.
At Donahue’s I can meander through rows and rows and rows of potted blooms.
Minnesota Prairie Roots file photo 2012.
Tables packed with colorful flowers fill the Faribault Garden Center during a 2012 visit. Minnesota Prairie Roots file photo 2012.
Hot pink geraniums initially caught my eye during a 2012 visit to Faribault Garden Center. Minnesota Prairie Roots file photo.
Or I can stop by Faribault Garden Center and delight in the geraniums, petunias and other plants thriving in the balmy warmth of a greenhouse.
Minnesota Prairie Roots file photo 2013.
I can mentally immerse myself in a warmer season, a warmer place. Yes, that’s exactly what I need to pull myself from this winter funk.
TELL ME: If you live in a cold weather state like Minnesota, how do you cope with a winter that’s been way too long, cold and snowy?
Twiehoff Gardens along St. Paul Road in Faribault. Minnesota Prairie Roots file photo.
NOTE: Garden lovers can also shop at several other Faribault garden centers for plants. Those include Farmer Seed & Nursery, Northstar Seed & Nursery and Twiehoff Gardens & Nursery.
© Copyright 2018 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
Yes! This is exactly what everyone in a cold weather state needs to do. Take a stroll through a garden shop and nursery. I am holding off getting my boston ferns for a couple of days–still have a little bit of cold at night and I don’t want to have to deal with brining them in at night. Your pictures warm my heart.
Sunshine here again this morning with temps predicted to be in the 50s, maybe even hit 60 by Monday.
I winter over my Boston ferns and they are thriving.
I may have to take a trip to Faribault soon. The colors look so inviting!
You’re always welcome to shop the greenhouses in Faribault. We have a lot of incredible garden shops in town.
Beautiful flowers. I cope with winter by crafting… wait a minute I cope with everything by crafting
And what a creative and beautiful way to cope. 🙂
My wife and I cope with winter by enjoying a soothing fire in the fireplace while enjoying a good movie or reading a book. As we move into spring or breakup as we call it here it is getting harder to enjoy the fireplace as it looses some of the ambience we enjoyed. Now that daylight last until after ten at night the fire just looses it’s coziness that it had when it was dark outside. So needless to say come on spring, summer, green, flowers…………………………
A fireplace sounds perfect for those long winter days. I find the word “breakup” interesting. As in breakup of ice, or what?
Breakup is an old saying that develop due to the rivers thawing and breaking up thus allowing the riverboats to start transporting their goods and services. In the old days riverboats were a primary means of transportation.
Thanks for the explanation. That makes sense.
Great photos! I haven’t even gotten out to get plants yet! It’s a late spring this year – we had freezing temps last week still, so planting is running late. We are getting our first real rain in six months this morning! When Forrest tilled up the garden it was like powder. Maybe after this rain I can get out and get going on the gardens!!
I heard on the radio this morning that spring planting is generally behind everywhere. The radio reporter was referring to crops, but that can also apply to gardens.
We had a glorious weekend here with lots of sunshine and temps in the low 60s. That’s the warmest temp in Minnesota since October. I spent most of my weekend outdoors. Photos coming sometime today.
I noticed in the aisles no one was buying as it looks like they have a full house with a great assortment.of flowers and plants-guess just too early
I took these photos several years ago, so can’t recall exactly when. But Donahue’s Greenhouse is expansive and always busy. The other garden stores in town are much smaller. I tend to shop those as I get overwhelmed by too many choices.
I LOVE walking in and see the bursts of color 🙂 I enjoy the planning, plotting and planting process. Our yard has been a work in progress with it being neglected for so long and it is starting to look GREAT! Happy Day – Enjoy
I expect you will shape your yard into a lovely work of art bursting with vibrant blooms and lush greens.
I will have to do a quick blog post on my yard and share it with my readers.
Yes. I look forward to seeing it.